Printacom has extended its relationship with heavy duty printing solutions manufacturer Printronix, to establish a dedicated printing division focused on OKI line printers and RFID (radio frequency identification) bar code and label printers.
The two companies have an established association based on Printronix supplying the OKI MX series of line printers, which the US vendor manufactures on an OEM basis.
“We have appointed Libby Ballardin as specialised printing product manager to head the new division, and will be focusing significant resources on building this division going forward,” says Printacom managing director, Neil Rom.
The extension of the deal sees Printacom adding the Printronix range of RFID bar code and label printers to Printacom's existing product offering.
“We see a lot of potential in offering this kind of dedicated solution to a market that is moving towards an integrated logistics supply chain environment,” says Rom.
RFID bar code printers not only print product and shipping bar codes onto labels, but simultaneously encode the microchip contained within the label for radio frequency tagging and tracking.
In an integrated logistics supply chain, goods can be tracked from the factory floor right through to the retail till point without the need to physically read the actual bar code.
“Thermal and bar code printing is growing and with RFID maturing in the background as a technology evolving in the not too distant future, the relationship with Printacom will largely increase market coverage and therefore market share in a win-win scenario,” says Holger Steer, Printronix area sales manager: Central Europe and South Africa.
He adds that the strength of Printacom's distribution system was a big attraction in targeting the southern Africa market.
“The structure of the Printacom distribution network with a strong reseller base fits perfectly into the worldwide Printronix strategy,” he says. “Printacom is active well beyond the borders of South Africa, giving Printronix the scope for future growth.”
Rom says a unique selling point of the Printronix RFID printers is that they can operate as a standard barcode unit, with the RFID functionality available as a subsequent add-on.
While Printacom will be directly managing sales, service and warrantees will be handled by approved warrantee centres who will also deal directly with Printronix on relevant service issues.
Rom says the Printronix label printer range is the perfect addition to Printacom's current OKI printer offering, dovetailing well to offer the market a complete printer product range from entry level SIDM, to mono and colour laser printers and multifunction devices as well as line printers from 500 lpm to 2000 lpm.
“We are able to offer a complete solution for customers with high-volume printing requirements, and are aggressively targeting this market,” he says. “We have the experience and expertise to deliver solutions that are compatible across all platforms, including legacy systems.”
The Printacom value proposition is based OKI's recognised reliability, as well as a full on-site warranty and back-up service.
Rom adds that this drive for the line-printer business is supported by OKI, and includes a trade-in on older machines - irrespective of the brand name - when purchasing a new OKI line printer.
“I think the market is desperately looking for a reputable brand that they can look forward to with a strong service backup,” he concludes.
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Printacom
Printacom Technologies, a member of the MB Technologies group of companies, is the sole importer and the leading value-added distributor of the OKI range of printing solutions and those of Printronix.
The Printronix range includes high performance thermal RFID (radio frequency identification) bar code and label printing solutions and networked printer management, including TallyGenicom's range of printing solutions to the South African reseller channel.
Ranked among the top three printer brands worldwide with representation in 120 countries worldwide, OKI Printing Solutions specialises in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing business printing solutions which empower organisations to communicate more effectively. More information about OKI is available at: http://www.OKIsa.co.za
Printronix, creators of innovative printing solutions for the industrial market place and supply chain, has earned an outstanding reputation for its high performance thermal bar code and fanfold laser printing solutions, among others. For company information see http://www.printronix.com.
MB Technologies is a member of the Royal Bafokeng Group of Companies.
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